Animal Aid abattoir cruelty footage: myth busted

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Animal cruelty is completely unacceptable, and we vigorously pursue action wherever we can.

The myth: Animal Aid has used undercover filming to show abuse at a slaughterhouse, and is criticising Defra for not seeking a prosecution - with the implication that the department does not care about animal welfare.

The truth: This is not true. Animal cruelty is completely unacceptable, and we vigorously pursue action wherever we can. But as Defra found in a previous prosecution based on an Animal Aid video, if the evidence has been obtained unlawfully through trespass there is very little prospect of securing a conviction.